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Men's basketball coach Chris Mack is staying at Xavier, and he wants to set the record straight.

The fifth-year Musketeers coach was courted by California following the retirement of six-year coach Mike Montgomery but has chosen to stay in his hometown and remain at the helm of his alma mater's program. In the days the Golden Bears were in contact, rumors swirled on Twitter and beyond about the reasons Mack might leave XU.

Some people assumed it came down to a paycheck. Others claimed "friction" between Mack and athletic director Greg Christopher had pushed the coach out the door, or that there was a lack of support from Xavier's administration.

None of that could be further from the truth, Mack said.

"Everyone wants to act like they heard it first. What happens is there is a lot of misinformation out there," Mack said Saturday. "I'm more than happy to explain, and I want to try to be really, really accurate because there are so many people that care about our program and I feel like I owe it to them a little bit."

First, he said, Xavier's administration has supported him since Day One. Mack said his relationship with Christopher "is amazing" and that the athletic director always has backed his staff.

Second, his decision to listen to California had nothing to do with money or upping the ante at Xavier. Mack said the words of late coach Skip Prosser have resonated with him in that regard since his interview for the Musketeers' director of basketball operations job in 1999. Mack landed the position, along with an $18,000 salary.

"I remember him saying, 'Mackie, college coaching isn't about driving a Mercedes and making millions and becoming Dean Smith.' He never thought it was, and I never thought it was," Mack said. "To me, it's about developing and teaching kids. I didn't get into it for reasons other than that.

"I've had several opportunities to make more money over the last four or five years. Some of the opportunities have remained under the radar and some haven't. I've always felt so much better about the entirety of the situation at Xavier than I have about any other perceived opportunities."

Mack – who has amassed a 111-57 record and taken XU to four NCAA tournaments, including two Sweet 16s – is highly regarded in coaching circles and subsequently has drawn consideration for most every high-level opening in the just-begun offseason. The most publicized opportunities have been at Wake Forest and California.

As a private university, Xavier is not required to disclose his salary. Mack became the highest paid coach in program history with a deal he inked in 2011, which took him through the 2017-18 season, and Xavier has continued to reward him. Administrators started working on extending the 44-year-old coach again before the 2013-14 season even ended, a process that takes time to complete.

So then why would Mack even entertain overtures from another program? Quite simply, Cal reached out to Mack and he listened.

"At the end of the day, Xavier's where my heart is. It's not about money. It's about the right fit. I like what we're building at Xavier, and it's what I'm completely committed to," Mack said.

He never stopped recruiting for Xavier and business still continues as usual for the men's basketball staff as it turns to next season. Mack is set to welcome the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history in freshmen Trevon Bluiett, Makinde London, J.P. Macura, Sean O'Mara and Edmond Sumner. Indiana transfer Remy Abell also will suit up for XU after practicing with the team during his sit-out season.

The offseason hasn't been without its bumps, as the team has lost its top two scorers. Justin Martin will transfer and use his final year of eligibility elsewhere and Semaj Christon is pursuing professional aspirations.

Christon has not hired an agent yet but must declare by April 27 per the NBA draft early entry eligibility deadline. Draftexpress.com and nbadraft.net peg Christon as a second-round pick in the June 26 draft, a distinction that would not come with guaranteed money.

Rumors have circulated that Christon may return to Xavier. Mack doesn't expect it.

"April 27 is the final drop dead date. You're very wise to keep all your options open (until then)," Mack said. "At the same time, I wouldn't be waiting on pins and needles if you're a Xavier fan thinking he's going to play for us next year. He's fully committed in my mind of being an NBA player. I'm extremely supportive of him and he knows that."

As for Martin – there is no ill will between the small forward and Mack, despite skeptics saying otherwise. Mack's only concern is that Martin finish the two classes he needs for graduation in order to take the grad school option.

"He felt like his time at Xavier has been good. He's been at Xavier for four years and he wants to find another opportunity, and I'm supportive of that," Mack said. "College basketball all over the country, it seems like there are multiple defections and guys leaving. It's different in 2014 than 2004.

"I wish Justin the best. At the end of the day you want to make sure guys on our roster want to be there and compete for a Big East championship, and Justin's heart wasn't in it."

The team still has one scholarship available for next season.

Mack said he's excited about the mix of returning players and newcomers, with leadership from future seniors Matt Stainbrook and Dee Davis. The group will benefit from 10 days of practice preceding a nine-day trip to Rio de Janeiro in August to face top-level Brazilian professional and club teams.

"I feel really, really good about our team next year," Mack said. "In some ways will be inexperienced and in other ways we'll have some very, very talented pieces and some really talented players on the floor."